Enclosed surgical apparatus clamp

Abstract

A threaded rod has a ball at one end and a stationary jaw at an opposite end with an end cap covering the end of the rod. A threaded collar pushes a movable jaw along the threaded rod toward the stationary gripping jaw by turning the collar clockwise. The movable collar has a cylindrical dome which covers the threaded rod and the end cap. An interior sleeve secured to the threaded collar at one end by an interior ring has a ridge at the other end of the interior sleeve which pulls the movable jaw away from the stationary jaw by turning the collar counter-clockwise to release the jaws. The ball on one end of the clamp is inserted in an existing float and lock ball system attached to a stabilizing post on an operating table bed. The clamp secures surgical apparatus in place over the patient on the operating table.

We claim: 
     
       1. An enclosed surgical apparatus clamp comprising a threaded rod secured at one end to a clamp attaching means; a stationary clamp jaw and end cap fixed to an opposite end of the threaded rod and covering the end of the threaded rod;   a movable clamp jaw and cylindrical dome which slides along the threaded rod, covering both the threaded rod and the end cap;   a threaded turning collar encircling and engaging the threaded rod between the movable clamp jaw and a ball;   an interior sleeve encircling the threaded rod connected at one end to the turning collar and engaging the movable jaw at another end;   wherein the sleeve and the collar sandwich a portion of the movable jaw therebetween linking the movable jaw movement to the movement of the turning collar.   
     
     
       2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the stationary clamp jaw comprises an end cap covering the end of the threaded rod with a hooked jaw on an underside of the end cap. 
     
     
       3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the movable clamp jaw comprises a flat donut-shaped end face encircling the threaded rod with a cylindrical dome extending from a top of the end face over a substantial portion of the threaded rod and over the end cap, and with a hooked jaw protruding from an underside of the end face. 
     
     
       4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the turning collar comprises interior threads adjacent to a ball end, finger engaging turning flanges protruding exteriorly, and an interior circular groove adjacent a movable clamp end. 
     
     
       5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the interior sleeve comprises an exterior circular groove at a collar end and a protruding ridge at a jaw end. 
     
     
       6. The invention of claim 5 further comprising a circular ring engaging the exterior groove of the sleeve and the interior groove of the turning collar to secure them together. 
     
     
       7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the clamp attaching means comprises a ball used with a float and lock ball system. 
     
     
       8. An enclosed surgical apparatus clamp comprising a threaded rod secured at one end to a clamp attaching means;   a stationary clamp jaw fixed to an opposite end of the threaded rod, wherein the stationary clamp jaw comprises an end cap covering the end of the threaded rod with a hooked jaw on an underside of the cap;   a movable clamp jaw and cylindrical dome which slides along the threaded rod covering both the threaded rod and the cap, wherein the movable clamp jaw comprises a donut-shaped end face encircling the threaded rod with a cylindrical dome extending from a top of the end face over a substantial portion of the threaded rod and over the end cap, and with a hooked jaw protruding from an underside of the end face;   a turning collar encircling the threaded rod between the movable clamp and the ball, wherein the turning collar comprises interior threads adjacent to a ball end, which interior threads engage the threaded rod, finger engaging turning flanges protruding exteriorly, and an interior circular groove adjacent a movable clamp end;   an interior sleeve encircling the threaded rod connected at one end to the turning collar and engaging the movable jaw end face at another end, wherein the interior sleeve comprises an exterior circular groove at the collar end and a protruding ridge at the jaw end;   a circular ring engaging the exterior groove of the sleeve and the interior groove of the turning collar to secure them together;   wherein the ridge of the sleeve and the collar sandwich the end face of the movable jaw therebetween linking the movable jaw movement to the movement of the turning collar.   
     
     
       9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the clamp attaching means comprises a ball used with a float and lock ball system.